THE centre-piece of the 146-year-old monument was damaged by revellers on Christmas Eve.

Drinkers climbed the historic Atholl Memorial Fountain in the centre of Dunkeld, Perthshire, and toppled the carved dolphin centre-piece.

Repairs will cost the National Trust for Scotland thousands and locals are furious.

The fountain at Market Cross was erected in 1866 in memory of the sixth Duke of Atholl, who brought running water to the town.

It was given to the NTS 20 years ago. The vandals damaged its stonework and lead piping on Christmas Eve.

NTS property manager Ben Notley said: “We can ill afford to pay for this right now. NTS has so many other pressing projects.

“What happened is a travesty. This one moment of madness has spoiled something very dear to the town.”

Dunkeld and Birnam Archive chairwoman Joan Brookes said: “I’m furious and also sad at this senseless act. How could this happen in Dunkeld? This is not an accident, it’s a crime.

“It would have taken a lot of effort to dislodge the centre part of the fountain. You would have to really have a go at it to topple that inner bowl. Being drunk is not an excuse for vandalising such a prominent part of Dunkeld’s heritage.”

Tayside Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident but are treating it as an accident, not deliberate vandalism.